We Got Dismissed, and We Accept It – Here's How to Find a New Job That Fits Your Needs
The start of a new year can be a period for contemplation, and for a lot of us, that encompasses evaluating our work lives.
A pair of editors who lost their jobs following company reorganizations originally thought their world had ended.
"I dedicated my heart into that role... I believed in the ethos we championed. But in my case, those principles were absent," a former editor remarks.
The two opted to say "dismissed" and argue that being honest about what happened can aid you process the experience.
"There are countless euphemisms for losing a job. However, the quicker you accept it, the quicker you're honest regarding it, the faster you can progress.
"That is the direct path to whatever you wish to pursue next," she continues.
Currently, they are succeeding in different roles, with one running a media business and another working as lead editor for a high-end journal.
If you've been made redundant or are just looking for a new career, here are four approaches for guidance.
1. Consider The Past Year
It's common to feel some apprehension concerning your career following time off.
A careers coach highlights the importance of introspection prior to launching a new job search.
She advises individuals to think about what they desire to increase, what to decrease, and what motivates or depletes their drive.
Looking back at your past successes to find recurring patterns is also beneficial. "Avoid considering only the most recent period, because we all exhibit for recent-event bias that can hinder clear thinking," she notes.
She also says it is vital to decide the role of work fits in your life.
This means being honest about how much time you're working and its effect on your personal life.
Following her job loss, she recommends not allowing your identity be shaped solely by your career.
2. Implement Incremental Actions
The advisor states that individuals can implement small steps towards a career shift without a complete leap.
Her own journey required a long period to transition from a traditional job to managing her own company entirely, working on the venture alongside her job, which allowed she could pay herself.
"It took additional time, however, that was how I did it without risk," she says.
She suggests an experimental strategy.
This could be volunteer work, joining an initiative that captures your interest, or agreeing to a new challenge at your present job.
"The worst outcome, you learn you don't like, however, it's wiser to know now than after you've committed fully," she remarks.
She also advises exploring short-term "bridging roles". These may not be the dream position, but they act as progress in the right direction, for example a position with parallels to the career you want, yet not in the same area.
"It means allowing yourself the space to say this is suitable temporarily, but that isn't permanent.
"That can be an intelligent approach for moving closer to your desired transition."
3. Remember Your Accomplishments
If you've recently lost your role, you aren't alone – redundancy rates have increased significantly in recent times.
One professional held a senior role for a fashion publication, previously her entire team were laid off when the firm closed the print version.
Recognizing that this situation was not a reflection of her skills allowed her to handle the transition.
"Your experience doesn't disappear just because you lost your job.
"Don't relinquish your self-worth, it's important for all individuals to remember their own value."
The other editor was let go following a long tenure with a finance publication due to leadership changes at the top and the hiring of a new editor.
She emphasizes that so much of the embarrassment of job loss is self-imposed.
"Given that hundreds of thousands of individuals facing redundancy, it's usually not about you. Chances are very much not you, so avoid carrying that ball of shame forward."
4. Develop a Career Checklist
For those who are desperately seeking work or are deeply dissatisfied in your current role, it can be tempting to apply hastily for any job – disregarding personal fulfillment.
Yet, this can be a significant mistake.
Rather, she recommends an exercise called "scanning" – filtering opportunities down to role profiles that seem appealing.
She advises browsing professional networks and saving a selection of that seem promising.
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